Duncan Hewett

Dr Duncan Hewett

Grant-Funded Researcher B

School of Biomedicine

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.


Dr Duncan Hewett is a senior postdoctoral scientist in the Myeloma Research Group of Dr Kate Vandyke. He is located within the Cancer Theme at SAHMRI on North Terrace. Multiple Myeloma is a largely incurable haematological cancer caused by the clonal expansion of differentiated B cells called plasma cells. His research focuses on using cell-based and mouse-based models of multiple myeloma to more fully understand the roles that mutated or dysregulated genes play in cancer initiation and progression, and to test the pre-clinical efficacy of novel anti-myeloma therapeutics.

Current projects include: (a) in vivo genetic screens using CRISPR-Cas9 to identify mechanisms of tumour cell survival ; (b) identifying molecular and cellular factors that enable to cancer cells to evade immune surveillance; (c) testing novel therapies directed towards neutralization of cancer-growth promoting bone marrow stromal factors; (d) development of lenalidomide-responsive and iberdomide-responsive in vivo models of myeloma

Opportunites exist in Semester 1 2024 for Honours and HDR projects for new students across many of the above projects. Please contact me via email to discuss further and/or arrange a visit to our laboratory located within the Precision Medicine Theme in the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI).

 

Project 1

Title: Discovery of novel essential genes for multiple myeloma cancer growth 

Description: Using specific gene knockout in multiple myeloma cell lines grown in vivo in mice to study the mechanisms on which these cancer cells are dependent for their survival. Use of small molecule antagonists to determine putative clinical translation of these novel target proteins. 

Projects Available For: Honours or HDR

Location: SAHMRI North Terrace

Research Project Start: Semester 1 2024

Special Requirements: none 

 

Project 2

Title: Reprogramming tumour associated macrophages to treat multiple myeloma

Description: Combining novel compounds and immunomodulatory IMiD drugs in cell and animal based models of multiple myeloma to try and reprogram macrophages to stimulate the immune-mediated killing of cancer cells. 

Projects Available For: Honours or HDR

Location: SAHMRI North Terrace

Research Project Start: Semester 1 2024 

Special Requirements: none 

 

  • Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2021 Principal Supervisor Investigating the role of Gremlin1 in driving multiple myeloma cancer development and progression Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Emma Anna-Jane Cheney
    2020 Principal Supervisor Identification of novel mechanisms that drive the dissemination of multiple myeloma tumour cells Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Hayley Bridget Parkinson
  • Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2019 - 2023 Co-Supervisor The TAM receptor family in multiple myeloma Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Justine Rachel Clark
    2017 - 2020 Co-Supervisor CCR1 as a Therapeutic Target in Multiple Myeloma: Preventing Tumour Dissemination and Therapeutic Resistance Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Mara Natasha Zeissig
    2015 - 2019 Co-Supervisor The Role of SAMSN1 in Multiple Myeloma Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Natasha Friend
    2015 - 2020 Co-Supervisor The Role of Gremlin1 in Multiple Myeloma Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mrs Kimberley Claire Clark
    2014 - 2018 Co-Supervisor A Genomic Approach Towards an Understanding of Clonal Evolution and Disease Progression in Multiple Myeloma Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ankit Kumar Dutta
    2009 - 2013 Co-Supervisor Regulation of BCR-ABL expression via its 3'untranslated region Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Bradley Chereda
  • Position: Grant-Funded Researcher B
  • Phone: 81284694
  • Email: duncan.hewett@adelaide.edu.au
  • Campus: North Terrace
  • Building: SAHMRI, floor 5 South
  • Org Unit: Medical Sciences

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